IND vs WI | 3rd ODI: India lose early wickets before Iyer, Pant provide resistance

Former Indian legend links politics to Wriddhiman Saha's sacking

With India scheduled to play against Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, starting February 25, the hosts have many things to ponder upon. After Virat Kohli's resignation, the selectors are yet to announce India's next Test captain. Tough calls are likely to be made as the recent performance of certain players put a question mark over their red-ball future for the national side. The latest report of TOI has indicated the axing of a few players as the selectors are not keen to give them another opportunity in the upcoming home series. While Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha might have played their last Test for India, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will be closely observed in the nearing Ranji season. As for Ishant and Saha, the duo has already opted out of their respective states' Ranji Trophy squad, hinting that the team management has decided to move ahead of them. Former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani praised Saha for his services to Indian cricket. However, he gave a controversial statement, blaming team politics for Saha's axing. "No doubt, Wriddhi is still the best wicketkeeper. But Rishabh Pant is getting chances for his aggressive batting. Even at 37, Wriddhi is still the best wicketkeeper. He should not get upset. Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel were also replaced in the same fashion," Kirmani told Mid-Day. "You did a splendid job for India and never bowed down in these years, which is commendable. You are dropped because you did not belong to any particular group, you are a victim of politics. I will remember you as a very fine wicketkeeper," he added. Unfortunately for Saha, he made his debut under the Dhoni-era. For the most part of his career, he remained out of the reckoning. After Dhoni's Test retirement, Saha became a vital part of the team from 2014-18. Then arrived Rishabh Pant as the youngster's batting prowess prompted the team management to pick him over Saha. The 37-year-old gloveman has played 40 Test matches for India, scoring 1353 runs at an average of 29.41.

PSL 2022 | Lahore Qalandars vs Multan Sultans | Match 17 Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

This will be the second meeting between these two sides and Qalandars will be eager to avenge the 5-wicket defeat they suffered during the Karachi leg of the season.

U19 World Cup-winning Captain Yash Dhull targets India debut in the next 18 months

India's latest World Cup-winning U-19 squad is bustling. Having a packed schedule, the players, especially skipper Yash Dhull, are enjoying the time of their lives. The team was felicitated during the 2nd ODI between India and West Indies in Ahmedabad for their remarkable achievement in the Caribbean shores. Following a 30-minute reunion with his family, Dhull visited his school Bal Bhavan in West Delhi. The captain then had to catch a flight to Guwahati as he is likely to make his Ranji debut for Delhi at the same place. Sharing the details of his tight schedule, Dhull mentioned how he has not slept enough in the last few days. The talented batter has left his good past behind and currently focuses on accomplishing even greater things in the future. "I have hardly slept the last few days but it is not something I can complain about. What I have done till now is done, I need to focus on what lies in the immediate future," Dhull told PTI. Reflecting upon his plans to earn an India call-up, the 19-year-old is targeting the next 18 months as the time limit of his international debut. "That is my target but If I am not able to do that in the 18-month time frame, I will keep working hard till I attain my goal," added the gifted batsman. While Unmukt Chand won the U-19 World for India in 2012, Virat Kohli achieved the same feat in 2008. However, both the cricketers had contrasting fortunes at the international level after their successful junior cricket outings. While Kohli became the numero uno all-format batsman, Unmukt could not replicate the same performance at the international arena. "The names you have taken (Kohli and Chand), I am not thinking on those lines. I want to remain humble and not think about the future too much," Dhull said when asked about his earlier counterparts. "Virat bhai shared his experience with me on what happened with him post the U19 World Cup (in 2008). I got to know a lot from approaching my career from here on, the chat with him has helped me understand things I need to focus on going forward and things I need to avoid," he added. As the red-ball season approaches the swashbuckling youngster, he asserted that there is a need for a change in his mindset. "I will have to change my mindset for the red ball game, preparation will be different. I don't think it will be a lot different and tougher than white ball. The red ball does a bit early on but if you can see that initial period batting becomes easier," stated the Delhi batsman. "It is all about the mindset from here on. Physically how fit you are. It is not one specific area, I will have to work on all my shots to become a better player," the 19-year old concluded.

People have tried to prove that I am finished: Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha last played for India in December 2021. He was not given a chance in India’s 2-1 loss to South Africa and there are no clear indications that at 37, if he will be picked for India in future. After making it clear to the Cricket Association of Bengal that he will not be playing in the state’s Ranji Trophy campaign, Saha in an interview with Sportstar delved into the matters of his long career. Asked about how it feels to hear about the retirement talks in the media, Saha stated that despite his good performances people have tried to prove that he was finished. “After I underwent the surgery in 2018, I was the second wicketkeeper, so I think since then, a lot of people were indicating that my time is up. Even though nobody said anything openly, there were enough indications that maybe they are planning something different,” Saha said. He further stated that things were made fairly clear to him after KS Bharat was included as a reserve in the England home series that India were trying to move on. “During the home series against England last year, Kona (K.S. Bharath) was brought in as the reserve. So, does not that indicate that he is in the reckoning? It was obvious that they were bringing him into the squad with a (long-term) plan and allowing him to get used to the set-up.” Quashing his retirement announcement Saha said that he will not retire ‘just because people have been talking about it’ and stated that he is on a break after a long time on the road.